Holy Roman Empire - a complex political alliance, which lasted from 962 to 1806 and potentially representing the largest country in Central Europe, was founded by Emperor Otto I. From its peak (1050), under Henry III, in its composition were German, Czech, Italian and Burgundian territory.It grew out of East Francia, proclaiming himself the heir of the Great Rome, according to the medieval idea of «translatio imperii» («transition Empire").The Holy Roman Empire was a conscious attempt to revive the state.
However, by 1600 it was only from the shadow of former glory.The heart of it was Germany that this period represents many principalities, successfully argued in their independent state under the rule of the Emperor, never had the status of an absolute.Therefore, from the end of the fifteenth century, it is more commonly known as the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation.
most important territory belonged to the seven electors of the emperor (king of Bavaria, Margrave of Brandenburg, Duke of Saxony, Palatine of the Rhine, and three archbishops - Mainz, Trier and Cologne), which are referred to as first class.The second consisted of a non-elected prince, the third - of the leaders of 80 free imperial city.The representatives of the estates (princes, dukes, lords, kings) were theoretically subject to the emperor, but everyone is sovereign in their land, and did as he saw fit, based on their own considerations.The Holy Roman Empire was not able to achieve such a political union, which existed in France, to develop instead into a decentralized, limited electoral monarchy, composed of hundreds of sub-blocks, principalities, counties, free imperial city and other areas.
Emperor yourself also owned land in the inner, upper, lower and Further Austria, controlled Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia and Lusatia.The most important area is the Czech Republic (Bohemia).When Rudolf II became emperor, he has defined its capital Prague.According to eyewitnesses, he was very interesting, intelligent, reasonable man.However, unfortunately, Rudolf suffered bouts of insanity, has evolved from his tendency to depression.This is strongly reflected in the government structure.All the more privileges of power in the hands of Matthias, his brother, though he had no authority on it.The German princes tried to take advantage of this issue, but in the end (1600), they not only have teamed up, and on the contrary, there was a split between them.
So summarize said.Milestones political union territories: education was the Holy Roman Empire in 962.Otto, its founder, was crowned by the pope in Rome.Beginning in 1600, the emperor was merely nominal.
Although some of them have tried to change their situation, to strengthen positions of power, their efforts prevented the papacy and the princes.The last was Francis II, who, under pressure from Napoleon I, refused the title and thus put an end to its existence.
